Receive Request
for Assistance

Y

Assess Problem

Y

Evaluate
Management Methods

v

Formulate
Management Strategy

Y

Provide Assistance

v

Monitor and Evaluate Results of

Management Actions

Attachment 1
WS Directive 2.201

v

End of Project



United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Wildlife Services Directive

2.201
July 15, 2014

WS DECISION MODEL
PURPOSE
To provide Wildlife Services (WS) personnel with a systematic approach to decision-
making for wildlife damage management activities.
REPLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

This directive revises WS Directive 2.201 dated July 21, 2008.

AUTHORITY

Authority to promulgate a policy is pursuant to The Act of March 2, 1931, (46 Stat. 1468;
7 USC 426), as amended:

Section 426, Predatory and other wild animals.

“The Secretary of Agriculture may conduct a program of wildlife services with respect to
injurious animal species and take any action the Secretary considers necessary in
conducting the program. The Secretary shall administer the program in a manner
consistent with all of the wildlife services authorities in effect on the day October 28,
2000.”

POLICY

a. The WS Decision Model is intended to conceptualize and describe the thought
process involved in addressing wildlife damage problems. It is not intended to require
documentation or a written record each time it is used.

b. This directive provides WS personnel with a step-by-step approach to help address

requests for assistance with wildlife damage. The major aspects presented in the WS
Decision Model should be used when responding to requests for assistance.

BACKGROUND


a. Wildlife damage management focuses on reducing conflicts between humans and
wildlife that occur when wildlife negatively impact agricultural and natural resources,
properties, and public health and safety. The WS decision making process is a thought
process for evaluating and responding to wildlife damage problems, and is similar in
approach to the decision making process used within other professions. WS professionals
evaluate the appropriateness of strategies, and methods are evaluated for their availability
(ie., legal and administrative) and suitability based on biological, economic,
environmental and social considerations. Following the thought process, the methods
deemed practical for the situation are developed into a management strategy. The WS
Decision Model is designed to serve as a useful management tool and meaningful
communication instrument; however, it necessarily oversimplifies complex thought
processes.

IMPLEMENTATION
The following discussion is depicted in Attachment 1.

a. Receive Request For Assistance. Wildlife damage management services are provided
only in response to requests for assistance.

b. Assess Problem. First, a determination should be made as to whether the problem is
within the authority of WS. If it is, damage information should be gathered and analyzed
to determine factors such as what species was responsible for the damage; the type,
extent, and magnitude of damage; the current economic loss and potential losses; the
local history of damage; and what management methods, if any, were used to reduce past
damage and the results of those actions.

c. Evaluate Management Methods. Once a problem assessment is completed, an
evaluation of management methods must be conducted. Methods should be evaluated in
the context of their legal and administrative availability and their acceptability based on
biological, environmental, social, and cultural factors.

d. Formulate Management Strategy. Methods determined to be practical for use are
formulated into a management strategy. The concept of IWDM (WS Directive 2.105,
The WS Integrated Wildlife Damage Management Program) should be applied when
formulating each management strategy. This approach encourages the use of several
management techniques rather than relying on a single method. Consideration of factors
such as available expertise, legal constraints on methods used, costs, and effectiveness is
essential in formulating each management strategy.

e. Provide Assistance. Program service can be provided by two basic means: technical
assistance and direct management (WS Directive 2.101, Selecting Wildlife Damage
Management Methods).

f. Monitor and Evaluate Results of Management Actions. When direct management is
provided, it is necessary to monitor the results. Monitoring is important for determining

whether further assistance is required or whether the problem has been resolved.


Evaluation is used to determine whether additional techniques are necessary.

g. End of Project. With technical assistance, the projects normally end after
recommendations or advice are provided to the requestor. An operational project
normally ends when WS personnel have stopped or reduced the damage to an acceptable
level. Problems such as chronic predation on livestock or at aquaculture facilities may
require continuing or intermittent attention and may have no well-defined end point.

6. APPLICABLITY

This applies to all WS employees and programs.

7. REFERENCES

a. WS Directive 2.101, Selecting Wildlife Damage Management Methods (10/29/03);
www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/directives/2.101.pdf

b. WS Directive 2.105, The WS Integrated Wildlife Damage Management Program
(03/01/04); www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/directives/2.105.pdf

Deputy Administrator 4 —